Church Trails

Inauguration of Church Trail, St. Nicholas, Linton

TRAIL LEADS TO ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS

Exploring St. Nicholas Church, Linton, whilst compiling a Church Trail, members of High Weald DFAS came across a brass plaque inscribed in Victorian Gothic script. It commemorated the grand reopening of the church after its restoration, enlargement and building of a new tower, provided by the Ladies Louisa and Elizabeth Cornwallis of Linton Park, at their expense. The Archbishop of Canterbury preached at the service, 140 village children were given a feast at the school, the 50 workmen involved in the rebuilding were treated to lunch at the Bull Inn (still standing) and a cricket match was held on the Cornwallis family’s private ground. The year? 1861 – 150 years ago.

What better reason to celebrate that anniversary and the launch of the Church Trail could there be? An exhibition was staged of the rebuilding and re-opening, complete with reproductions of 18th and 19th century portraits of the Cornwallis family and some of the 1861 gifts to the church. A special service was arranged, with invited guests, including the Archdeacon of Tonbridge, Deputy Mayor of Maidstone, Kent Area Chairman Sandy Patrick, Jane Hoole Chairman of High Weald DFAS and Sarah Harris, Head of Church Trails. Members of the congregation enjoyed following the trail afterwards.

Before the launch, the Trail was trialled by a group of primary school children from the “Seekers” church youth group. They arrived after school, full of energy, but soon settled down and were absorbed for an hour working their way round the church, following the plan and answering the questions.

Other pages (if available) concerning our Church Recording and Church Trails activities are listed below. Please click on the headings for further information.

The congregation at Sunday Morning Family Service at All Saints’ Church, Staplehurst, Kent, were treated to a delightful Q+A Session led by the Vicar, the Reverend Silke Tetzlaff with Rosemary Izod, the then Chairman of HWDFAS, to explain the Church Trail. The Church Trail was very well received by Parents and Children alike as can be seen in our photos. This beautiful church has stood here since the year 1100 and is full of interest and fascinating history. HWDFAS is proud of Ursula Allen and Lyndsay Lloyd Hughes who produced the trail and were pleased to be supported on the day, by the Kent Area Chairman, Elaine Graham and the Kent Church Trail Representative, Pam Young and some ten NADFAS members. ”